Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CLOSURE ASSEMBLY
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure relates to closure assemblies, and more particularly
to, closure
assemblies for closing an opening in a plastic or glass, and particularly a
pyrex vessel.
RELATED ART
Closure assemblies, and particularly, split ring or split nut plastic closure
assemblies can be
used to close an opening in vessels, particularly vessels made from plastic or
glass. Current designs
of closure assemblies have many drawbacks. For example, current designs of
closure assemblies can
not achieve a high torque threshold, meaning that they can not withstand high
applied torques. High
applied torques are becoming increasingly necessary to provide proper sealing
and closure of the
opening of the vessel, especially when the fluid in the vessel is under
pressure. Further, current
designs do not enable complete engagement of the threadings in a closure
assembly, leading to the
inability to withstand high torque values. For example, during the rapid
torqueing of the closure
assembly, current designs can have failures such as jumping of the threading
and miss-alignment of
the closure assembly with respect to the opening of the vessel. Still further,
failures can result from
tilting of the closure assembly causing an uneven pressure application about
the opening of the vessel.
Further improvements in closure assemblies are needed, particularly in
enabling the closure
assemblies to withstand high applied torques and achieve substantial
engagement of the threadings.
The following disclosure describes embodiments of a closure assembly which can
overcome the
disadvantages of the current designs and achieve excellent applied torque
thresholds and improved
threading engagement resulting in repeatable high performing closure
assemblies.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and are not limited in the
accompanying
figures.
FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a closure assembly according to an
embodiment of the
present disclosure.
FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section view of an assembled closure assembly
according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a first ring according to an
embodiment of the
present disclosure.
FIG. 3B illustrates a cross section of a first ring according to an embodiment
of the present
disclosure.
FIG. 3C illustrates a perspective view of the first ring illustrated in FIGS.
3A-3B, split into
two halves according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of a second ring according to an
embodiment of the
present disclosure.
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FIG. 4B illustrates a cross section of a second ring according to an
embodiment of the present
disclosure.
FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of a vessel according to an embodiment
of the present
disclosure.
FIG. 5B illustrates a cross section of a vessel according to an embodiment of
the present
disclosure.
FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view of a first cap according to an
embodiment of the
present disclosure.
FIG. 6B illustrates a cross section of a first cap according to an embodiment
of the present
disclosure.
FIG. 7A illustrates a perspective view of a second cap according to an
embodiment of the
present disclosure.
FIG. 7B illustrates a cross section of a second cap according to an embodiment
of the present
disclosure.
Skilled artisans appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for
simplicity and clarity
and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of
some of the elements
in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to
improve understanding of
embodiments of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following description in combination with the figures is provided to
assist in
understanding the teachings disclosed herein. The following discussion will
focus on specific
implementations and embodiments of the teachings. This focus is provided to
assist in describing the
teachings and should not be interpreted as a limitation on the scope or
applicability of the teachings.
However, other embodiments can be used based on the teachings as disclosed in
this application.
The terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "has," "having"
or any other
variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For
example, a method, article, or
apparatus that comprises a list of features is not necessarily limited only to
those features but may
include other features not expressly listed or inherent to such method,
article, or apparatus. Further,
unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive-or and
not to an exclusive-or. For
example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is
true (or present) and B is
false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or
present), and both A and B are true
(or present).
Also, the use of "a" or "an" is employed to describe elements and components
described
herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the
scope of the invention.
This description should be read to include one, at least one, or the singular
as also including the plural,
or vice versa, unless it is clear that it is meant otherwise. For example,
when a single item is
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described herein, more than one item may be used in place of a single item.
Similarly, where more
than one item is described herein, a single item may be substituted for that
more than one item.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have
the same
meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which
this invention belongs.
The materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to
be limiting. To the
extent not described herein, many details regarding specific materials and
processing acts are
conventional and may be found in textbooks and other sources within the vessel
sealing arts.
The following disclosure describes closure assemblies adapted to withstand
high torque forces
without disengagement of the threadings. For example, the present inventors
have created a closure
assembly capable of consistently withstanding torque forces of 180 in.lbf and
greater, and allowing
substantially full engagement of the threadings. The concepts are better
understood in view of the
embodiments described below that illustrate and do not limit the scope of the
present invention
FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a closure assembly according to one
embodiment of the
present disclosure. The closure assembly 10 can include a first ring 20, a
second ring 40, a first cap
60, and a second cap 80. The closure assembly can be adapted to engage with
and close an opening
92 in a vessel 90. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section view of the
closure assembly 10
shown in FIG. 1 in an assembled configuration.
In the certain embodiments, the first ring 20, second ring 40, first cap 60,
second cap 62, or
combinations thereof can be formed from a non-metal material, such as a
plastic material, and in
particular a polymer material. Specific examples of suitable polymer material
include, but are not
limited to, thermoplastic, thermosets, fluropolymers, and combinations
thereof. Specific examples of
suitable polymer material can be polyvinyldiene fluoride (PVDF).
In particular embodiments, the first ring 20, second ring 40, first cap 60,
second cap 80, or
combinations thereof can be an injection molded component.
FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a first ring 20 according to an
embodiment, and FIG.
3B illustrates a cross section view of the first ring 20 shown in FIG. 3A. The
first ring 20 can have a
top surface 22, an inner surface 24, and an outer surface 26 and the outer
surface 26 can include
threading 28. In particular embodiments, the first ring 20 can include a first
flange 30 having a top
surface 32 extending radially inward from the inner surface 24 of the first
ring 20 a distance of FL.
Furthermore, the top surface 32 of the first flange can be spaced apart from
the top surface 22 of the
first ring by a distance FH.
In certain embodiments, a relationship of the first flange 30 in the first
ring 20 can be defined
by a ratio of FH FL In particular embodiments, a ratio of FH:FL can be greater
than 1, at least about 1.1,
at least about 1.2, at least about 1.3, at least about 1.4, at least 1.5, at
least about 1.6, at least about 1.7,
at least about 1.8, at least about 1.9, at least about 2.0, at least about
2.5, at least about 3.0, or even at
least about 5Ø In certain further embodiments, a ratio of FH FL can be no
greater than about 20, no
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greater than about 10, no greater than about 5, or even no greater than about
3. The ratio of FH:FL can
also be within a range between any of the minimum and maximum values described
above.
The first flange 30 can extend generally perpendicular to and radially
inwardly from the inner
surface 24 of the first ring 20. However, in certain embodiments, the first
flange 30 can extend
radially inwardly from the inner surface 24 of the first ring 20 at an angle
in a range of from about 15
to 175 degrees.
A cavity 34 can be defined by the top surface 32 of the first flange 30 and
the inner surface 24
of the first ring 20 above the first flange 30. In particular embodiments, the
cavity 34 can be open and
unfilled. For example, the cavity 34 can be adapted to directly engage with a
vessel about its opening,
and particularly, adapted to engage with a second flange disposed at an
opening of a vessel. In certain
embodiments, the cavity can have a profile adapted to substantially compliment
an outer profile of a
second flange disposed at an opening of a vessel.
The first ring 20 can further include a plurality of support ribs 36 in
contact with a bottom
surface 38 of the first flange 30 and the inner surface 24 of the first ring
20 below the bottom surface
38 of the first flange 30. The support ribs 36 serve to support the first
flange 30 and provide it
rigidity.
Referring now to FIG. 3C, the first ring 20 can be a split ring, also referred
to as a split-nut.
For example, the first ring 20 can be adapted to be pulled apart in a
plurality of pieces and
reassembled about the neck of a vessel. In particular embodiments, and as
illustrated in FIG. 3C, the
split ring can include two pieces, a first half 21 and a second half 23. The
two pieces can be
configured to attach together in any suitable manner. For example, the first
half 21 can include pegs
25, and the second half 23 can include corresponding holes 27 adapted to
engage with the pegs 25.
FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate a second ring 40 shown in the cross-section and
perspective according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The second ring 40 has an inner
surface 42 and an outer
surface 44, and threading 46 disposed on the outer surface 44. The threading
46 on the outer surface
44 of the second ring 40 can engage with the threading 28 on the outer surface
26 of the first ring 20.
In particular embodiments, the second ring 40 can be a monolithic or unitary
ring. In other
words, the second ring 40 can be a single piece. As illustrated in FIGS. 4A-
4B, the second ring 40
can be in the form of a nut and adapted to engage with a torque wrench.
The second ring 40 can have an outer circumference including 4 sides, 5 sides,
6 sides, 7
sides, 8 sides, 9 sides, or even 10 sides.
The threading 28, 46 on the first ring 20, second ring 40, and combinations
thereof can have
any desired pitch. As used herein, pitch is referred to the liner distance
between the crests of adjacent
threads. In particular embodiments, the pitch can be defined in relation to
the longest diameter of the
second ring 40, as measured at the threadings. For example, a ratio of the
diameter of the second ring
to the pitch of the threadings 28, 46 can be at least about 10, at least about
50, at least about 100, or
even at least about 500. Further a ratio of the diameter of the screw to the
pitch can be no greater than
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about 10,000, no greater than about 5,000, or even no greater than about
1,000. The ratio of the
diameter of the second ring 40 to the pitch can also be within a range between
any of the maximum
and minimum values described above.
The threading 28, 46 on the first ring, second ring, and combinations thereof
can also have a
desired number of threads per inch, referred to herein as TPI. The threadings
28, 46 of the
embodiments described herein can have a TPI of at least about 1 TPI, at least
about 2 TPI, at least
about 3 TPI, at least about 4 TPI, at least about 5 TPI, at least about 6 TPI,
at least about 7 TPI, at
least about 10 TPI, at least about 15 TPI, or even at least about 20 TPI.
Further, the threadings 28, 46
have a threads per inch (TPI) of no greater than about 100 TPI, no greater
than about 50 TPI, or even
no greater than about 10 TPI. Moreover, the threadings 28, 46 can have a TPI
within a range between
any of the maximum and minim values described above.
The threadings 28, 46 can form a helical pattern about the outer surface 26 of
the first ring 20
or inner surface 42 of the second ring 40. Further, the threadings 28, 46 can
be described by the
number of times the threads wrap around or within the first ring 20 or second
ring 40. For example, a
first threading would begin at the top of the outer surface 26 on the first
ring 20, and after one
complete rotation about the ring, the second threading would begin, and
continue to wrap around the
ring one complete rotation and then begin the third threading. The first,
second, third, and remaining
threadings can all for a single helical shaped threading. A particular
advantage of the present
disclosure is the location of the top surface 32 of the first flange 30 in
relation to the threadings 28,
46. For example, in certain embodiments, the top surface 32 of the first
flange 30 can be disposed
below the first threading, the second threading, the third threading, the
fourth threading, the fifth
threading, the sixth threading, the seventh threading, the eight threading,
the ninth threading, or even
the tenth threading. As discussed above, the first threading is disposed
nearest the top surface 22 of
the first ring 20.
The closure assembly described herein can be used with any desired vessel 90.
In particular
embodiments, the vessel 90 can formed of a material including, metal, plastic,
glass, or combinations
thereof, and particularly pyrex. In certain embodiments, the vessel 90 can be
formed of a material
including plastic or glass.
As particularly illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5B, the vessel can have a second
flange 94 disposed
near the opening 92 of the vessel. The second flange 94 can have a top surface
96, a side surface 98,
and a bottom surface 100. As discussed above, the side surface 98 and bottom
surface 100 of the
second flange 94 on the vessel 90 can complement the cavity 34 defined by the
inner surface 24 of the
first ring 20 and top surface 32 of the first flange 30. In particular
embodiments, the cavity 34 defined
by the inner surface 24 of the first ring 20 and top surface 32 of the first
flange 30 can be adapted to
directly contact with the side surface 98 and bottom surface 100 of the second
flange 94.
The inner surface 24 of the first ring 20 defined by the distance FH can be
adapted to at least
partially contact the side surface 98 of the second flange 94. In particular
embodiments, the inner
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surface 24 of the first ring 20 defined by the distance FH is adapted to
contact at least 10%, at least
20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at
least 80%, at least 85%, at
least 90%, at least 95%, or even substantially all of the side surface 98 of
the second flange 94.
Referring to FIG. 5B, which illustrates an enlarged cross-section view of the
top of a vessel
90, the second flange 94 can have a bevel 91 between its top surface 96 and
side surface 98. Further,
the second flange 94 can have a second bevel 93 between the bottom surface 100
and the side surface
98.
Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6B, the closure assembly can further include a first
cap 60
adapted to be urged toward an opening in a vessel as the threadings on the
first and second ring are
engaged. The first cap 60 can be adapted to have an outer periphery to engage
with the second ring,
such that as the second ring engages with the first ring the assembly is
tightened.
In further embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B, the closure assembly
can further
include a second cap 80. The second cap 80 can be adapted to directly contact
the opening of the
vessel, and similar to the first cap 60, can be adapted to be urged toward the
opening in a vessel as the
threadings on the first and second rings are engaged. The second cap 80 can be
formed of a flexible
material, such as, for example a thermoplastic elastomer, silicone, or
combinations thereof. For
example, specific types of thermoplastic elastomers can be those described in
U.S. Patent Application
Publication No. 2011/0241262, which is incorporated herein by reference, in
its entirety, for all useful
purposes.
In particular embodiments, the first cap 60 can be harder or have a higher
rigidity than the
second cap 80, such that as the assembly is tightened, the second cap 80,
which is directly adjacent the
opening of the vessel, is deformed and provides a sealing structure.
A particular advantage of the closure assembly described herein is the ability
to withstand
higher applied torque forces than had been previously achieved. For example,
embodiments of the
closure assemblies described herein can have an Applied Torque Threshold (ATT)
of at least about
150 in.lbf, at least about 160 in.lbf, at least about 170 in.lbf, at least
about 180 in.lbf, at least about
190 in.lbf, at least about 200 in.lbf, at least about 210 in.lbf, at least
about 220 in.lbf, at least about
230 in.lbf, at least about 240 in.lbf, at least about 250 in.lbf, at least
about 260 in.lbf, at least about
275 in.lbf, at least about 300 in.lbf, or even at least about 500 in.lbf as
measured according to THE
APPLIED TORQUE THRESHOLD TEST. The applied torque threshold test is described
in detail
below in the Examples section. In particular, the applied torque threshold
test is a measurement
technique which describes the ability of the closure assembly to withstand an
applied torque.
Another particular advantage of the closure assembly described herein is the
level of
engagement of the threadings. In certain embodiments, the closure assembly can
have a desired
threading engagement factor, referred to herein as TEF. The TEF is a
quantification of the percentage
of threads on the first and second ring in active engagement with each other
in an assembled
configuration after application of a desired torque. The threading engagement
factor test is performed
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as described above in the applied torque threshold test, except that after the
assembly has been
torqued with a desired force, the percentage of the exposed threading on the
first ring, if any, is
measured, and the threading engagement factor is determined according to the
following equation 1:
Equation 1. TEF = ((DIT-DET)/(DIT))*100%
wherein, TEF represents the threading engagement factor; DET represents the
linear distance
of the exposed threading on the first ring; and DTT represents the total
linear distance of the threading
on the first ring.
In certain embodiments, the closure assembly described herein can have a TEF
of at least
about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at
least about 70%, at least
about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at
least about 95%, or even at
least about 99% as measured according to the "threading engagement factor
test" at a torque pressure
of 180 in.lbf. Furthermore, the closure assembly described herein can have a
TEF of at least about
50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least
about 70%, at least about
75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least
about 95%, or even at least
about 99% as measured according to "threading engagement factor test" at a
torque pressure of 275
in.lbf.
Another particular advantage of the present disclosure is the ability to
control the variability
in the applied torque thresholds and the threading engagement factor. For
example, a lot of closure
assemblies described herein can each have the threading engagement factor,
and/or applied torque
threshold values described herein. In certain embodiments, the lot of closure
assemblies can include
at least 10 closure assemblies, at least 15 closure assemblies, at least 20
closure assemblies, at least 25
closure assemblies, or even at least 50 closure assemblies.
EXAMPLES
Example 1 ¨ Applied Torque Threshold (ATT)
10 Samples of example A, 10 samples of example B, and 10 samples of examples C
were
tested and compared for their ability to withstand different torque pressures,
both before and after a
sterilization cycle according to the applied torque threshold test and the
threading engagement factor
test, the details of which are provided below. The design of Examples A were
obtained from Saint
Gobain Performance Plastics, Garden Grove Division under the designation TCA-
2, version 2. The
design of Examples B were also obtained from Saint Gobain Performance
Plastics, Garden Grove
Division under the designation TCA-2 ¨ version 1. The design of Sample C is
illustrated in FIG. 1.
Applied Torque Threshold Test Method
To determine whether a closure assembly can withstand a particular applied
torque, the
procedure below is followed:
a. Secure a fixture that simulates the bottle top onto a stable platform. In
this instance, a
mock-up of a pyrex No. 1595-2x (9.5 Liter) was used.
b. Next place the cap or caps to cover the opening on the mock-up.
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c. Assemble the first ring around the neck of the vessel.
d. Hand screw the second ring to engage with the first ring.
e. Place a nut socket onto of the second ring.
f. Hold the first ring with a holder.
g. Preset a torque wrench to the desired torque.
h. Tighten the second ring with the torque wrench while at the same time
holding the
first ring with the holder.
i. Once the torque value has been reached, remove the torque wrench and
visually
observe the assembly for failures, particularly splitting of the first ring
and
disengagement of the threadings.
j. Using the torque wrench and holder, reverse the drive of the torque
wrench and
loosen the second ring and remove the cap and observe each piece of the
assembly for
failures, particularly damage to the threading.
Table 1 below illustrates the results of the Applied Torque Threshold Test on
10 samples of
designs A, B, and C.
25
35
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Table 1:
Post Post
Initial Initial Sterilization Sterilization Re-Torque after a MM.
4 hrs.
Sample Torque Torque cycle cycle delay
150 in.lb 180 in.lb 150 in.lb 180 in.lb 150 in.lb 180
in.lb 275 in.lb
Al Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Fail
A2 Pass Pass Pass Fail Fail - -
A3 Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Fail Fail
A4 Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
A5 Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
A6 Pass Pass Pass Fail Fail - -
A7 Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
A8 Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Fail
A9 Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Fail
A10 Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Fail
B1 Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
B2 Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
B3 Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
B4 Pass Pass Pass Fail Fail - -
B5 Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
B6 Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Fail
B7 Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
B8 Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
B9 Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
B10 Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
Cl Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
C2 Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
C3 Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
C4 Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
C5 Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
C6 Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
C7 Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
C8 Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
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C9 Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
C10 Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
As illustrated above, the design represented in the figures and described
herein surprisingly
exhibited an applied torque threshold of 150 in.lb, 180 in.lb, and 275 in.lb
for each and every sample
in the lot of samples, while failures were present in both comparative designs
A and B.
Example 2 ¨ Threading Engagement Factor (TEF)
Samples B and C were then measured to determine their threading engagement
factor (TEF).
As discussed above, the threading engagement factor test is implemented
identically to the applied
torque threshold test, except that, before assembling the closure assembly,
the linear distance of the
threadings on the first ring are measured, and after assembling and applying
the desired torque, the
linear distance of the exposed threadings that are not in engagement with the
threadings on the second
ring is measured, and the threading engagement factor is determined according
to Equation 1 detailed
above.
The following results were obtained as illustrated in Table 2:
Table 2:
Sample Total Thread Length Exposed Thread
Threading Engagement
Length Factor
B11 72 inches 53.125 inches 26%
C11 72 inches 1.875 inches 97%
Many different aspects and embodiments are possible. Some of those aspects and
embodiments are described below. After reading this specification, skilled
artisans will appreciate
that those aspects and embodiments are only illustrative and do not limit the
scope of the present
invention. Embodiments may be in accordance with any one or more of the items
as listed below.
Item 1. An assembly for closing an opening in a vessel, the assembly
comprising:
a first ring having a top surface, an inner surface and an outer surface,
wherein the
outer surface comprises threading, wherein the first ring comprises a first
flange having a top
surface extending radially inward from the inner surface of the first ring a
distance of FL, and
wherein the top surface of the first flange is spaced apart from the top
surface of the first ring
by a distance FH, and wherein a ratio of FH:FL is greater than 1.
Item 2. An assembly comprising:
a vessel having an opening and a second flange disposed about the opening,
wherein
the second flange has a top surface, a side surface, and a bottom surface;
a first ring having a top surface, an inner surface and an outer surface,
wherein the
outer surface comprises threading, wherein the first ring comprises a first
flange extending
radially inward from the inner surface of the first ring a distance of LL, and
wherein the top
surface of the first flange is spaced apart from the top surface of the first
ring by a distance H,
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wherein the surface of the first ring defined by the distance H is adapted to
at least partially
contact the side surface of the second flange;
a second ring having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner
surface
comprises threading; wherein the threading on the first ring and the threading
on the second
ring are adapted to engage with each other; and
a first cap adapted to be urged toward an opening in a vessel when engaging
the
threadings.
Item 3. A split-nut closure assembly for closing a vessel, wherein the split-
nut closure
assembly has an Applied Torque Threshold (ATT) of at least 180 in.lbf as
measured according to the
applied torque threshold test.
Item 4. A split-nut closure assembly for closing an opening in a vessel,
wherein the split-nut
closure assembly has a threading engagement factor (TEF) of at least 50% as
measured according to
the threading engagement factor test at a torque pressure of 180 in.lbf.
Item 5. The assembly according to any one of the preceding items wherein the
assembly
comprises a first ring having a top surface, an inner surface and an outer
surface, wherein the outer
surface comprises threading, wherein the first ring comprises a first flange
extending radially inward
from the inner surface of the first ring a distance of LL, and wherein the top
surface of the first flange
is spaced apart from the top surface of the first ring by a distance H.
Item 6. The assembly according to item 5, wherein a ratio of H:LL is at least
about 1.1, at
least about 1.2, at least about 1.3, at least about 1.4, at least 1.5, at
least about 1.6, at least about 1.7, at
least about 1.8, at least about 1.9, at least about 2.0, at least about 2.5,
at least about 3.0, or even at
least about 5Ø
Item 7. The assembly according to any one of items 5-6, wherein a ratio of
H:LL is no greater
than about 20, no greater than about 10, no greater than about 5, or even no
greater than about 3.
Item 8. The assembly according to any one of items 5-7, wherein the first
flange extends
radially inwardly from the inner surface of the first ring at an angle of
about 15 to 175 degrees.
Item 9. The assembly according to any one of items 5-8, wherein the first
flange extends
generally perpendicular to and radially inwardly from the inner surface of the
first ring.
Item 10. The assembly according to any one of items 5-8, wherein a cavity is
defined by the
top surface of the first flange and the inner surface of the first ring above
the first flange, and wherein
the cavity is open and unfilled.
Item 11. The assembly according to any one of items 5-11, wherein a cavity is
defined by the
top surface of the first flange and the inner surface of the first ring above
the first flange, and wherein
the cavity is adapted to engage with a second flange disposed at an opening of
a vessel.
Item 12. The assembly according to any one of items 5-11, wherein a cavity is
defined by the
top surface of the first flange and the inner surface of the first ring above
the first flange, and wherein
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the cavity has a profile adapted to substantially compliment an outer profile
of a second flange
disposed at an opening of a vessel.
Item 13. The assembly according to any one of items 5-12, further comprising a
plurality of
support ribs in contact with a bottom surface of the first flange and the
inner surface of the first ring.
Item 14. The assembly according to any one of items 5-13, wherein the first
ring comprises a
plastic material.
Item 15. The assembly according to any one of items 5-14, wherein the first
ring comprises a
polymer material.
Item 16. The assembly according to any one of items 5-15, wherein the first
ring is an
injection molded element.
Item 17. The assembly according to any one of items 5-16, wherein the first
ring is a split
ring.
Item 18. The assembly according to item 17, wherein the first ring comprises
at least two
pieces.
Item 19. The assembly according to item 17, wherein the first ring comprises
two pieces.
Item 20. The assembly according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the
assembly
comprises a second ring having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein
the inner surface
comprises threading.
Item 21. The assembly according to item 20, wherein the threading on the first
ring and the
threading on the second ring are adapted to engage with each other
Item 22. The assembly according to any one of items 20-21, wherein the second
ring is a
monolithic ring.
Item 23. The assembly according to any one of items 20-22, wherein the second
ring is
adapted to engage with a torque wrench.
Item 24. The assembly according to any one of items 20-23, wherein the second
ring has an
outer circumference comprising 4 sides, 5 sides, 6 sides, 7 sides, 8 sides, 9
sides, or even 10 sides.
Item 25. The assembly according to any one of items 20-24, wherein the second
ring
comprises a plastic material.
Item 26. The assembly according to any one of items 20-25, wherein the second
ring
comprises a polymer material.
Item 27. The assembly according to any one of items 20-26, wherein the second
ring is an
injection molded element.
Item 28. The assembly according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the
assembly
comprises:
a first ring having a top surface, an inner surface and an outer surface,
wherein the
outer surface comprises threading; and
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a second ring having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner
surface
comprises threading;
wherein the threading on the first ring and the threading on the second ring
are
adapted to engage with each other.
Item 29. The assembly according to item 28, wherein the threadings have a
threads per inch
(TPI) of at least about 1 TPI, at least about 2 TPI, at least about 3 TPI, at
least about 4 TPI, at least
about 5 TPI, at least about 6 TPI, at least about 7 TPI, at least about 10
TPI, at least about 15 TPI, or
even at least about 20 TPI.
Item 30. The assembly according to any one of items 28-29, wherein the
threadings have a
threads per inch (TPI) of no greater than about 100 TPI, no greater than about
50 TPI, or even no
greater than about 10 TPI.
Item 31. The assembly according to any one of items 28-30, wherein, when
viewed from a
cross-section, the threadings on the first ring comprise a plurality of
threadings, and the top surface of
the first flange is disposed below the first threading, the second threading,
the third threading, the
fourth threading, the fifth threading, the sixth threading, or even the
seventh threading, and wherein
the first threading is disposed nearest the top surface of the first ring.
Item 32. The assembly according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the
assembly
comprises a vessel having an opening and a second flange disposed about the
opening, wherein the
second flange has a top surface, a side surface, and a bottom surface.
Item 33. The assembly according to item 32, wherein when the threading is
engaged, the first
ring is in direct contact with the side surface and bottom surface of the
second flange.
Item 34. The assembly according to any one of items 32-33, wherein the
assembly comprises
a first ring having a top surface, an inner surface and an outer surface,
wherein the outer surface
comprises threading, wherein the first ring comprises a first flange extending
radially inward from the
inner surface of the first ring a distance of LL, and wherein the top surface
of the first flange is spaced
apart from the top surface of the first ring by a distance H, wherein the
surface of the first ring defined
by the distance H is adapted to at least partially contact the side surface of
the second flange.
Item 35. The assembly according to item 34, wherein the surface of the first
ring defined by
the distance H is adapted to contact at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%,
at least 40%, at least
50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at
least 95%, or even
substantially all of the side surface of the second flange.
Item 36. The assembly according to any one of items 32-35, wherein the second
flange has a
bevel between the top surface and the side surface; and/or wherein the second
flange has a bevel
between the bottom surface and the side surface.
Item 37. The assembly according to any one of items 32-36, wherein the vessel
comprises
glass or pyrex.
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Item 38. The assembly according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the
assembly
comprises a first cap.
Item 39. The assembly according to item 38, wherein the first cap is adapted
to be urged
toward an opening in a vessel as the threadings are engaged.
Item 40. The assembly according to any one of items 38-39, further comprising
a second cap,
and wherein the first cap is harder than the second cap.
Item 41. The assembly according to any one of items 38-40, further comprising
a second
cap, and wherein the second cap has a higher rigidity than the second cap.
Item 42. The assembly according to any one of items 38-41, wherein the first
cap is the
uppermost element of the closure assembly.
Item 43. The assembly according to any one of the preceding items, further
comprising a
second cap.
Item 44. The assembly according to item 43, wherein the second cap is adapted
to be urged
toward an opening in a vessel as the threadings are engaged.
Item 45. The assembly according to any one of items 43-44, wherein the second
cap directly
contacts the opening of the vessel.
Item 46. The assembly according to any one of items 43-45, wherein the second
cap is
adapted to directly contact the opening of the vessel and the first cap.
Item 47. The assembly according to any one of items 43-46, wherein the second
cap
comprises silicone.
Item 48. The assembly according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the
closure
assembly has a threading engagement factor of at least about 50%, at least
about 55%, at least about
60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least
about 80%, at least about
85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, or even at least about 99% as
measured according to the
threading engagement factor test at a torque pressure of 180 in.lbf or even at
a torque pressure of 275
in.lbf.
Item 49. A lot of at least ten closure assemblies according to any one of the
preceding items,
wherein each of the closure assemblies in the lot of ten closure assemblies
has a threading
engagement factor of at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about
60%, at least about 65%, at
least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%,
at least about 90%, at
least about 95%, or even at least about 99% as measured according to the
threading engagement factor
test at a torque pressure of 180 in.lbf or even at a torque pressure of 275
in.lbf.
Item 50. The assembly according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the
assembly
has an applied torque threshold of at least about 150 in.lbf, at least about
160 in.lbf, at least about 170
in.lbf, at least about 180 in.lbf, at least about 190 in.lbf, at least about
200 in.lbf, at least about 210
in.lbf, at least about 220 in.lbf, at least about 230 in.lbf, at least about
240 in.lbf, at least about 250
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in.lbf, at least about 260 in.lbf, at least about 275 in.lbf, at least about
300 in.lbf, or even at least about
500 in.lbf as measured according to the applied torque threshold test.
Item 51. A lot of at least ten closure assemblies according to any one of the
preceding items,
wherein each of the closure assemblies in the lot of ten closure assemblies
has an applied torque
threshold of at least about 150 in.lbf, at least about 160 in.lbf, at least
about 170 in.lbf, at least about
180 in.lbf, at least about 190 in.lbf, at least about 200 in.lbf, at least
about 210 in.lbf, at least about
220 in.lbf, at least about 230 in.lbf, at least about 240 in.lbf, at least
about 250 in.lbf, at least about
260 in.lbf, at least about 275 in.lbf, at least about 300 in.lbf, or even at
least about 500 in.lbf as
measured according to the applied torque threshold test.
Note that not all of the activities described above in the general description
or the examples
are required, that a portion of a specific activity may not be required, and
that one or more further
activities may be performed in addition to those described. Still further, the
order in which activities
are listed is not necessarily the order in which they are performed.
Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described
above with regard
to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to
problems, and any
feature(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or
become more pronounced are
not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature of any or
all the claims.
The specification and illustrations of the embodiments described herein are
intended to
provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments.
The specification and
illustrations are not intended to serve as an exhaustive and comprehensive
description of all of the
elements and features of apparatus and systems that use the structures or
methods described herein.
Separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single
embodiment, and conversely,
various features that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single
embodiment, may also be
provided separately or in any subcombination. Further, reference to values
stated in ranges includes
each and every value within that range. Many other embodiments may be apparent
to skilled artisans
only after reading this specification. Other embodiments may be used and
derived from the
disclosure, such that a structural substitution, logical substitution, or
another change may be made
without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the
disclosure is to be regarded as
illustrative rather than restrictive.
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